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Morrow-Molina battery in tact, for now

Morrow-Molina battery in tact, for now

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TORONTO -- Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has reiterated this season that he does not agree with starting pitchers having a personal catcher -- alluding specifically to the Brandon Morrow and Jose Molina battery.

Morrow however, taking the mound Monday against the Yankees, will be making his 13th consecutive start with Molina behind the dish. When working with Molina this year, Morrow has posted a stellar .222 batting average against, and a 3.07 ERA over 99 2/3 innings. In contrast, when pitching to Blue Jays primary catcher John Buck, Morrow has a .315 average against and a 8.81 ERA through 31 2/3 frames.

Despite wanting to stick to his guns, Gaston said he has kept the tandem together for two reasons: their continued success and as a result of favorable scheduling.

"I was close to changing it today, but I thought, 'Just leave it alone, let it go,'" Gaston said. "Molina got half the hits yesterday, so there you go. Can't take him out because he didn't get a hit. They seem to match up pretty good, and somewhere down the line it's going to change."

Because of the day-night transition, Gaston said Molina will catch Morrow on Saturday vs. the Tigers, and likely once more Sept. 3 against the Yankees.

The Jays skipper also added that the days off have been good for Buck, who returned just last week from a stint on the 15-day disabled list due to a right-thumb injury.

"Buck hasn't caught a lot lately," Gaston said. "He hasn't said a word to me, but I can almost bet you he's sore. You [sit around] for 15 days or so, you have to be sore somewhere. Just kind of working out for him, too. He'll catch up until Friday, and then get Molina in there on Saturday."